FEATURE: Explainer: childhood sleep disorders
"There are around 90 classified sleep problems that can occur throughout childhood." Image: bluehill75/iStockphoto Any parent will tell you the meaning of the saying “slept like a baby” is completely opposite to reality. Thankfully, many parents succeed in establishing a routine to their baby’s initial erratic sleep patterns without too much trouble. But for some, sleep problems become an ongoing concern. Sleep problems are common throughout all stages of childhood. Community based studies report that anywhere between 10% and 45% of children and 11% to 30% of adolescents have one or more sleep problems, which can occur in infancy or develop later. But interestingly, very few parents seek help. One study reported that of the parents who identified their child as having a clinical sleep problem, less than 15% actually mentioned it to their doctor. This is a concern as sleep problems have been linked to poor attention, behavioural problems and reduced academic performance. There...